I meant Stephen you clown. We're not in a group because we've been a nation for about 18 years or so, we've got more players playing for other countries than we have our own. I think it'll take us some time

-------------------He pauses shaving and he tells himself that he is the bomb

Stephen Ireland doesn't want to play, and surely any 2 out of McCarthy, Fahey and Hoolahan would be far too attacking? Agree that Whelan and Andrews is just horrible though. Ireland are just not very good (in relation to teams in their group), and shows once again that qualifying means *bleep* all, they didn't steamroller anyone in their group and were fortunate Armenia had a man sent off and Estonia completely choked in their play-off. Definitely better teams then the Irish missed out

At the same time, we possibly got the hardest group in the competition. All three teams have looked very strong, there are no average teams like you could say Greece, Czech Republic/Poland, Sweden, Ukraine that we could compete with. Don't know if England would have gotten out of our group, they would have accounted for themselves better but they would have struggled.

I saw that shite excuse trailed out yesterday, Denmark would laugh at that claim that Ireland had the toughest draw. They've made a far better show of it and they're relying on Nikklas Bendtner for Christs sake.

Stephen Ireland doesn't want to play, and surely any 2 out of McCarthy, Fahey and Hoolahan would be far too attacking? Agree that Whelan and Andrews is just horrible though. Ireland are just not very good (in relation to teams in their group), and shows once again that qualifying means *bleep* all, they didn't steamroller anyone in their group and were fortunate Armenia had a man sent off and Estonia completely choked in their play-off. Definitely better teams then the Irish missed out

At the same time, we possibly got the hardest group in the competition. All three teams have looked very strong, there are no average teams like you could say Greece, Czech Republic/Poland, Sweden, Ukraine that we could compete with. Don't know if England would have gotten out of our group, they would have accounted for themselves better but they would have struggled.

I can't say with any conviction that I think Ireland would have acquitted themselves too much better in any other group. Fair enough they're all bigger teams but it's been utterly pathetic with so little ambition or fight, like Ireland are supposed to be all about spirit and passion and I've seen so little of that. The tactics as well, been like watching England at their rigid worst. Do feel for Trapattoni though, the gameplan is all about being solid and there's been horrible defensive errors early on, getting out of the game before they're even in it.

I can't say with any conviction that I think Ireland would have acquitted themselves too much better in any other group. Fair enough they're all bigger teams but it's been utterly pathetic with so little ambition or fight, like Ireland are supposed to be all about spirit and passion and I've seen so little of that. The tactics as well, been like watching England at their rigid worst. Do feel for Trapattoni though, the gameplan is all about being solid and there's been horrible defensive errors early on, getting out of the game before they're even in it.

Yeah, I agree. I don't feel for Trapattoni though, he's the guy that comes up with the tactics, plays Cox in midfield, ignores Long and McClean, brings on Paul Green ahead of Gibson etc. He has got it wrong as much as the players. Sure there were defensive errors but the complete dinosaur style of play just invites pressure.

There are many reasons for the poor performances. Ageing players - Dunne, O'Shea, Given, Duff and Keane were better two-four years ago, which makes it a shame we were robbed against France in that play-off. Then Given, Dunne and O'Shea went into the tournament with injuries and were rushed in, their performances have been uncharacteristic of the last 2 years. And then Whelan and Andrews being found out even more against top drawer opposition.

Probably would do as good of a job as Spearing. Anyway I hate this sort of debate about whose better out of average footballers so I don't want to get into it. But he's not that bad and can score a goal for our level, not exactly going to be building a team around him but can do a job as good as the other two in there.

Random stat about Gibson, he hasn't lost a game for the last 27 matches that he has played.

Gibson isn't a world beater but he's better than Paul *bleep*ing Green.

Went out with a whimper. Pathetic.

Spain played pretty good in parts, but we gifted the goals to them. Every goal - awful defending. Just awful. Given looked like he couldn't kick a ball. Paul Green. Christ. The entire back four - awful.

I don't really understand how we suddenly became so shit defensively. Giving goals away at key times in both games I suppose. We never really looked like threatening Spain but if it had stayed at 1-0 for another 10 minutes... If if if.

Just so disappointing to go out like that. Only tournament I remember was '02, Robbie Keane v Germany, that was magic. Every tournament before that you'd hear the stories, Houghton against England, against Italy, Schillachi in 1990... What is there this time? A meaningless St Ledger goal? All the patronising "oh but the fans are great"? *bleep* that. I wanted some magic. Some ridiculous hope that will be taken away at the last but hey, we gave those Spaniards one hell of a *bleep*ing game. But we got *bleep* all.

Pestar, *bleep* off by the way with your rejects from other countries comment. Just *bleep* off.

I never want to see Paul Green in an Irish jersey ever again. Ever. Trap has done a lot of good for us since Staunton but similarly he has used ridiculously limited players. Roy Keane was wrong when he said we have to change our mentality - we know we can be better than that. Thanking the fans was just being courteous you daft prick.